The 11 best things to do in Crete, Greece
Crete’s handsome shores have lulled visitors for years – when picturing the perfect island getaway, Crete is up there with its floury beaches and cerulean seas. Though Crete has a bounty of sandy treasures to enjoy, there are plenty of other seductions away from the sands. As Greece’s largest island there is a rich mix of history and culture and a deep-grained heritage that is as remarkable as the ever-changing landscape on the island.
Beaches and sand hopping aside, there are dramatic hilltop artisan villages, romantic Roman ruins, and mighty Minoan palaces – all providing a true sense of Crete’s roots. But, if you’d rather just plonk yourself down on the island's sultry sands, at least try the candy-coloured ones at surreal Elafonissi beach. Here are the 11 best things to do in Crete.
Getty Images1. Hang in Chania’s old town
Chania’s old town is possibly one of the prettiest in Greece – so much so, that it’s a pleasure getting lost in all its charms. There’s a sweet blend of Cretan, Ottoman and Venetian influences and a maze of beautiful alleyways and secret pathways. Go to the old Venetian port, Chania Port, for a stroll and preprandial drinks – the amber sunset warms the soul. Dig into the freshest seafood and the best of Cretan cuisine, the place is packed with cosy, authentic Greek tavernas.
Getty Images2. Take a dip at Elafonissi beach
Pretty-in-pink? Elafonissi beach is one of the most breathtaking beaches in Crete. The mystical beach is where rose-pink-hued sands meet the mint-blue sea – a surreal, yet spectacular sight. Go for a dip in the warm, transparent waters at this magical place. Avoid peak summer, where it can get mobbed; instead, opt for spring or autumn, when the waves are gentle, as are the tourists. The perfectly pink swathes of sand are made up of crushed shells, and the iridescent blues are just part of daily life on Crete.
Alamy3. Be artistic at Kritsa
A traditional Greek hilltop village cusped by olive trees, go to Kritsa to get a glimpse into the art of lace-making, weaving and embroidery – the women in the region are famed for their impressive crafts. Taking a trip to the whitewashed, mountainous Cretan village is as memorable as the intricate lace-making itself. Once there, this timeless art never fails to fascinate and makes for gorgeous gifts when it’s time to leave the big blues behind.
Getty Images4. Discover Gortyna’s Roman ruins
Gortyna was the former Roman capital on the island. The ancient ruins and archaeological sites showcase Roman life and times. It was once the capital of Roman Crete (67 BC) and there are mind-blowing Roman baths, traditional theatres and temples on display. Apart from rambling ruins, there is the acropolis (which has a commanding view of the site from atop) and the Christian Basilica of Agios Titos – which is gorgeous at golden hour.
Getty Images5. See the beaches – by boat
Jump onboard a local boat and do a nautical tour of Crete’s finest beaches: it’s the finest way to take the sandy shores in. Locals organise trips to the key points of call – just hop on and off where you fancy. Top places to visit include Elafonissi, the pretty-in-pink sand beach and Hora Sfakion, a petite, sleepy harbour village and beach with bright-blue waters. Regular Cretan road trips can be challenging with sheer drops from high up in the mountains, instead, go slow, take a boat and live out your Captain Corelli's Mandolin dream.
Getty Images6. Experience a raki festival
Ouzo? No – raki is the most authentic tipple in Crete. When in Crete, hit up a raki festival. The Kazani Zargianaki is open for raki festivities and provides travellers with the chance to make merry. From the middle of October, the celebration is underway and sampling is par for the course. Join in for a truly local experience – indulging in a splash of the grappa-like beverage.
Getty Images7. Tour the Minoan Palace of Knossos
In the epicentre of Minoan civilisation, take a guided tour of the Minoan Palace of Knossos, an ancient 1,500-room palace which is also known as a labyrinth – dating back to 7,000 BC. The abode of King Minos is linked to the legacy of the Minotaur, Diadalos and Ikaros. The Throne Room is sensational, and so is wandering the palace grounds. Combining a trip to Knossos with Heraklion’s archaeological museum makes sense – the museum is a must-visit for its mind-blowing Minoan artefact collection.
Getty Images8. Uncover Spinalonga: Crete’s former leper colony
Spinalonga Island in the Gulf of Elounda is an important part of Cretan history and should be on every trip itinerary. Spinalonga was a place where great suffering happened and Greeks with leprosy were quarantined in terrible conditions. The island bears a tragic story and history, but it’s one that every traveller should know about. The island itself only closed in 1957 – not that long ago. Spinalonga is central to any Cretan education.
Getty Images9. Be a Cretan food convert
Local Cretan food is delicious and clean cuisine, and its simplicity is its superpower. Crisp vegetables, juicy, plump fruits and salads burst with sun-kissed flavour; joy-inducing, creamy Cretan cheeses feature heavily – and not just Greek feta – others, such as myzithra, a sensational goat cheese, are everywhere; divine Cretan dakos, a Greek-style bruschetta doused with tomatoes and olive oil is a definite highlight. All over the island, there’s a firm focus on the natural larder with high-quality, local Cretan produce, letting humble ingredients shine. There are over 30 million precious olive trees on Crete – and the island has some of the highest-grade olive oil in the world – the ‘liquid gold’ an iconic table staple.
Getty Images10. Take a hike at Samaria Gorge
Winding through Crete’s only national park, the breathtaking White Mountains National Park, this inspiring, dramatic 16km gorge trek has a starting point at Xyloskalo – with an altitude of 1,230m – and it is soul-reviving. It’s an energetic hike, but the spectacular, far-reaching views are memorable: there’s also a chance to spy kri-kri, Crete’s elusive mountain goats. The route takes around six hours, so plan for the full day when the climate is cooler. Finish the hike with a well-deserved pitstop at Agia Roumeli, a pretty village sandwiched between the yin and yang of the wild mountains and serene sea. Hugging the unreal, expansive cyan-blue coastline is the perfect spot for dinner. Looking out to the blue horizon from a local taverna is the reward.
Getty Images11. Discover Crete’s only Botanical Park
Crete’s incredible, flourishing gardens weren’t always so abundant. Sadly, back in 2003, wildfires devastated Crete. Petros Marinakis lost all his olive groves – they were incinerated before his eyes. But, he had an idea: he decided to use the time for reinvention. He added fresh new flora and designed a beautiful botanical park filled with flowers and herbaceous plants, over 20 hectares of land became the one-and-only Botanical Park on Crete. Take the two-hour, flower-filled wander through the park, then go for a fine, authentic Cretan lunch at the restaurant – featuring delicious vegetables, herbs and fruits from the park itself, try a Cretan salad – pick a bright table outside and spend time swooning over the sweeping, botanical views, dreams can come true.